Manchester Catalys

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Channel • 2 Shows

Careers

Careers

Updated fortnightly
Careers

Careers

Updated fortnightly

21 Jul

Professor Soo Downe | Midwifery, compassion and challenging the system

This episode features Professor Soo Downe OBE, whose research has reshaped how we think about pregnancy and birth. For decades Soo has asked what good maternity care actually looks like, championing physiological birth, compassion and kindness as clinical concerns rather than soft extras, and questioning intervention that does not serve women and families. Alongside a large body of research spanning ethnography, trials and international survey work, she has helped shape global thinking on maternity care through her work at the University of Central Lancashire and beyond. Join us as we trace Soo's path from clinical midwife to internationally recognised researcher, discussing where her commitment to women's experiences came from, what it has cost to challenge the medicalisation of childbirth, and the moments when system change felt out of reach. Soo also shares candid reflections on staying true to your values inside academia, what clinicians most often misunderstand about research, and why midwifery needs more of its own people asking the questions.
25/02/2025

Professor John Baker | Making acute mental health care safer

This episode features Professor John Baker, whose research is transforming safety in mental healthcare settings. Starting as a nurse in Manchester—where he found himselfresponsible for 20 severely unwell patients—John became determined to improvemental health care delivery. As one of the first mental health nurses awarded aHealth Foundation Fellowship, he pioneered research into medication delivery onacute wards. With over 100 publications and £8 million in funding, John has overcomesignificant barriers in a field where nursing research remains underrepresented.Join us to explore his journey from 1970s Portsmouth to his current work atLeeds University, his creative approach to science communication throughblogging, and his insights on conquering imposter syndrome while building aninfluential academic career.
24 Jun

Professor Dawn Edge | Mental health, health inequalities and underserved communities

This episode features Professor Dawn Edge, whose research has shone a light on some of healthcare's most persistent inequalities. Focusing on mental health, ethnicity, and underserved communities, Dawn has spent her career investigating why some groups experience poorer health outcomes and what can be done to change this. Join us as we explore Dawn's journey from clinician to internationally recognised researcher, discussing the experiences that shaped her career, the challenges she has faced along the way, and her determination to pursue research that makes a meaningful difference to people's lives. Along the way, Dawn shares valuable insights for aspiring clinical academics, reflecting on resilience, finding your research passion, and staying committed to the questions that matter most.
13/05/2025

Professor Dame Nicky Cullum | Wound care, maggot therapy and what really works

This episode features Professor Dame Nicky Cullum, whose ground-breaking research has revolutionized wound care. With over 260 published papers, Nicky investigates which treatments truly work, from maggot therapy to advanceddressings—identifying options that are effective, patient-friendly, and cost-efficient. Her unique perspective combines nursing practice with academic training in pharmacology, bringing scientific rigor to a field where biology,medicine, and technology intersect. Join us as we trace Nicky's path from 1960s Leeds to receiving her Damehood, exploring her early transition to research, her influential Cochrane work, and her belief that "crushing disappointments can lead to the best opportunities." We'll also uncover her writing process, offering valuable insights for aspiring clinical academics who find this aspect of research particularly daunting.
1 Jul

Physiotherapy: How Do You Get Started in Research? | Clinical Academia: Getting Started

In the first episode of Clinical Academia: Getting Started, host Dr Judith Johnson is joined by Professor Dawn Edge, an experienced clinical academic, and Laura McGarrigle, an early career researcher, to explore the realities of taking your first steps into research within Physiotherapy. Drawing on their experiences at different stages of a clinical academic career, Dawn and Laura discuss how they became involved in research, the opportunities that helped them get started, and the barriers they encountered along the way. Together, they share practical advice, reflections, and encouragement for healthcare professionals who are curious about research but unsure where to begin. Whether you're considering your first research project or wondering if clinical academia could be part of your future career, this episode offers valuable insights from two Physiotherapy researchers who have successfully navigated the journey.
Trailer

New Podcast Series for Healthcare Professionals Interested in Research

Our host, Dr Judith Johnson, introduces a new Manchester Catalys Podcast series - Clinical Academia: Getting Started. Listen to find our what to expect from this news series and how it could benefit your research career! Search Clinical Academia: Getting Started to listen!
05/03/2025

Professor Dawn Dowding | Nursing, digital health and the rise of AI

This episode features Professor Dawn Dowding, whose workbridges nursing practice and digital innovation. With 150 published papers anda unique background in both psychology and nursing, Dawn now shapeshealthcare's digital future through her leadership on England's nursinginformatics panels and AI advisory groups. Join us as we trace her journey from1960s Hertfordshire to professorships in both the UK and US, including fiveyears at Columbia University. We'll explore how her research evolved fromstudying clinical decision making to advancing digital health technologies, andgain her practical advice for healthcare professionals intimidated by academicwriting and publishing—insights gained from her impressive international careerspanning both sides of the Atlantic.
01/04/2025

Professor Frank Bowling | Podiatric surgery, neurodivergence and a global career

This episode featuresProfessor Frank Bowling, MBE, whose extraordinary career spans podiatricsurgery, research, and global humanitarian work. With over 250 publications, 6books, and four doctorates, Frank brings unique perspectives as aneurodivergent healthcare provider specializing in diabetic foot complications.Join us to explore his journey from 1970s Bolton to becoming a respectedsurgeon while holding professorships at five European universities. We'lldiscuss how neurodivergence has shaped his prolific career, his experiencesdelivering healthcare in disaster-stricken areas worldwide—work that earned himan MBE in 2023—and his commitment to balancing research alongside clinical andhumanitarian efforts, offering valuable insights for those aspiring to similarpaths.
19/03/2025

Professor Tony Redmond | Emergency medicine on the world's frontlines

This episode featuresProfessor Tony Redmond, whose remarkable journey led from north Manchester tothe frontlines of global crises. With over 150 papers and decades ofhumanitarian service, Tony has delivered emergency care during the Lockerbiebombing, Haitian earthquake, and Bosnian war—where he faced dictator RadovanKaradzic and survived sniper fire. Join us to explore his path from Catholicroots to pioneering emergency medicine and co-founding the Humanitarian and ConflictResponse Institute. We'll discuss his experiences with PTSD, recovering fromdeliberate heavy metal poisoning in the Balkans, and building a field hospitalfor Kurdish refugees after the Gulf War. Tony offers candid insights about thecomplexities of humanitarian medicine and practical advice for healthcareprofessionals drawn to this challenging but rewarding path Prof Redmond founded and is now an ambassador for www.uk-med.org. You can support his international humanitarian work by supporting UK-med.
22/04/2025

Professor Katherine Berry | Attachment, psychosis and rethinking mental health

This episode features Professor Katherine Berry, whose research bridges a key debate in mental health: are psychological conditions biological or social in origin? Katherine’s breakthrough research shows that our early relationships with caregivers—our "attachment"—plays a role in schizophrenia symptoms later in life. With over 200 published papers, she's helped change how we understand mental health by showing the importance of childhood bonds alongside biological factors. Join us to explore Katherine’s research, how she got into academia, and how she has overcome the challenges she’s faced along the way.

Thinking about a career that combines practice and research? Manchester Catalys helps nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers and other health and social care professionals start and grow careers in clinical academia. This channel brings together our two series. In Clinical Academia: Getting Started, we talk through the barriers to starting a clinical academic career and how to overcome them, for people taking their first steps. In Humans of Clinical Academia, host Dr Judith Johnson talks to leading clinical academics about the real journeys, choices and setbacks behind their careers. Whether you are research-curious or preparing your first fellowship application, you will find honest conversations, practical guidance and inspiration from people who have done it. Manchester Catalys is a collaboration between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and The University of Manchester.

Manchester Catalys

Top Shows

Professor Soo Downe | Midwifery, compassion and challenging the system

Professor John Baker | Making acute mental health care safer

Professor Dawn Edge | Mental health, health inequalities and underserved communities

Professor Dame Nicky Cullum | Wound care, maggot therapy and what really works

Physiotherapy: How Do You Get Started in Research? | Clinical Academia: Getting Started

New Podcast Series for Healthcare Professionals Interested in Research

Professor Dawn Dowding | Nursing, digital health and the rise of AI

Professor Frank Bowling | Podiatric surgery, neurodivergence and a global career

Professor Tony Redmond | Emergency medicine on the world's frontlines

Professor Katherine Berry | Attachment, psychosis and rethinking mental health

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